State Of Washington v. Derek R. Nebreja ( 2020 )

Filed
Washington State
Court of Appeals
Division Two
June 16, 2020
IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON
DIVISION II
STATE OF WASHINGTON, No. 52861-4-II
Respondent,
v.
UNPUBLISHED OPINION
DEREK RAMIREZ NEBREJA,
Appellant.
SUTTON, J. — Derek Ramirez Nebreja appeals his jury trial conviction for child molestation
in the second degree, arguing that (1) the trial court erred by denying his ER 404(b) motion to
exclude evidence of sexual misconduct that occurred one week before the charged offense, (2)
there was insufficient evidence to convict him because the State failed to prove that he acted for
sexual gratification, (3) the prosecutor committed prosecutorial misconduct by misstating the law
and improperly shifting the burden of proof during closing argument, and (4) cumulative error
denied him a fair trial.
We hold that (1) the trial court did not err by denying Nebreja’s ER 404(b) motion to
exclude evidence, (2) the State presented sufficient evidence for a rational trier of fact to determine
that Nebreja acted for sexual gratification, and (3) there was no prosecutorial misconduct. Because
we find no error, (4) the cumulative error doctrine does not apply. We affirm Nebreja’s conviction.
No. 52861-4-II
FACTS
Nebreja is married to Leelani Nebreja, and they have children together. Leelani1 has a half
sister, K.H., who was twelve years old at the time of the incident.
In September 2017, K.H. and her family were at Nebreja’s house. K.H. was alone with
Nebreja in his bedroom, and she went into his closet to pick out some shoes. As K.H. left the
walk-in closet, she felt somebody touch her buttocks. Nebreja was the only other person in the
room, so she realized he was the one who touched her. At the time, she believed the touch was
accidental, so she did not tell anyone.
One week later, K.H. was at her own house. Nebreja and Leelani were also there, along
with their children. That evening, K.H. was watching a movie on a couch in the living room with
Nebreja and her niece and nephew. Nebreja was sitting on the left side of the couch, his daughter
was sitting directly to his right, and K.H. was sitting to the right of Nebreja’s daughter and holding
Nebreja’s son on her right side. Nebreja’s daughter was sitting toward the edge of the couch,
focused on the movie playing. Nebreja began to rub K.H.’s arm, and she moved her arm. Nebreja
then moved his hand down to her left thigh and began to rub that. K.H. picked up Nebreja’s infant
son and put him between them, but Nebreja continued to touch her. Nebreja moved his hand
toward and then began touching K.H.’s vagina over her clothing. Nebreja stopped touching K.H.
when she got up and left the room. The incident lasted for about five seconds.
The State charged Nebreja with one count of child molestation in the second degree.
1
We use Leelani’s first name for clarity and mean no disrespect.
2
No. 52861-4-II
Nebreja moved under ER 404(b) to exclude the evidence of the prior sexual misconduct
where he touched K.H.’s buttocks one week before the charged offense. Nebreja argued that the
evidence was not probative, the prior incident was not factually similar to the charged offense, and
any probative value was outweighed by the prejudicial effect. The State argued that the evidence
of the prior incident was highly probative because it showed a lack of mistake and a lustful
disposition towards K.H., and its probative value outweighed any prejudicial effect. The trial court
denied Nebreja’s motion, ruling that “the probative value outweighs the prejudicial value, and goes
towards a lack of mistake or accident in the subsequent touching.” Verbatim Report of Proceedings
(VRP) at 14. The court later clarified that the prior incident was also admissible as evidence of a
“lustful disposition” toward K.H. VRP at 99.
K.H. testified at trial consistent with the facts outlined above.
During closing arguments, the prosecutor stated,
So, I represent the State today, and that means I have the burden of proving
all the elements of the charge beyond a reasonable doubt. So, you should absolutely
hold me to that burden. After hearing, if you don’t believe I’ve met that burden, if
I didn’t prove it, then you should find [Nebreja] not guilty. That would be your
duty.
VRP at 196. The prosecutor later argued that, “[s]ometimes an act simply speaks for itself. There
is no other reason for this touching to occur.” VRP at 199. During his rebuttal argument, the
prosecutor said, “What I said earlier is what I’ll say again, sometimes the act speaks for itself and
in the context of what happened, what we have here is a very clear deliberate fact that serves no
other purpose beyond his own sexual gratification.” VRP at 215-16.
The jury returned a guilty verdict. Nebreja appeals his conviction.
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No. 52861-4-II
ANALYSIS
I. ER 404(b) EVIDENCE
Nebreja argues that the trial court erred by denying his ER 404(b) motion to exclude
evidence of the prior sexual misconduct incident. Nebreja argues that the prior incident was not
factually similar, its admission was not necessary to corroborate K.H.’s testimony, any probative
value was outweighed by the prejudicial effect, and the error was not harmless beyond a reasonable
doubt. We hold that the trial court did not err by denying Nebreja’s motion to exclude.
We review the trial court’s interpretation of ER 404(b) de novo as a matter of law. State
v. Fisher, 165 Wash. 2d 727, 745, 202 P.3d 937 (2009). If the trial court interprets the rule correctly,
we review the decision to admit evidence under ER 404(b) for an abuse of discretion. Fisher, 165
Wash. 2d at 745. A trial court abuses its discretion when its decision is manifestly unreasonable or
based on untenable grounds. State v. Hassan, 184 Wash. App. 140, 151, 336 P.3d 99 (2014).
Under ER 404(b), a defendant’s prior misconduct is inadmissible to show the defendant’s
propensity to commit the charged crime. State v. Gresham, 173 Wash. 2d 405, 420, 269 P.3d 207
(2012). But ER 404(b) does not prohibit evidence of the defendant’s prior misconduct for other
purposes, such as demonstrating motive, intent, a common scheme or plan, or lack of mistake or
accident. Gresham, 173 Wash. 2d at 420.
One accepted “other purpose” under ER 404(b) is to show the defendant’s motive and
intent in cases involving sex offenses. Gresham, 173 Wash. 2d at 430 n.4. In such cases, the
defendant’s prior sexual misconduct may be admitted under ER 404(b) when it shows the
defendant’s “lustful disposition” directed toward the victim. State v. Ray, 116 Wash. 2d 531, 547,
806 P.2d 1220 (1991). The evidence must reflect the defendant’s sexual desire for the particular
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No. 52861-4-II
victim. Ray, 116 Wash. 2d at 547. The purpose of this evidence “is not to demonstrate the
defendant’s character but to demonstrate the nature of the defendant’s relationship with and
feelings toward the victim.” Gresham, 173 Wash. 2d at 430 n.4.
The evidence is strongly probative because of the secrecy surrounding child sex
abuse, victim vulnerability, the frequent absence of physical evidence of sexual
abuse, the public opprobrium connected to such an accusation, a victim’s
unwillingness to testify, and a lack of confidence in a jury’s ability to determine a
child witness’s credibility.
State v. Kennealy, 151 Wash. App. 861, 890, 214 P.3d 200 (2009). But evidence still may be
excluded “if its probative value is substantially outweighed by the danger of unfair prejudice.” ER
403.
To admit evidence of a person’s prior misconduct, “the trial court must (1) find by
a preponderance of the evidence that the misconduct occurred, (2) identify the
purpose for which the evidence is sought to be introduced, (3) determine whether
the evidence is relevant to prove an element of the crime charged, and (4) weigh
the probative value against the prejudicial effect.”
Gresham, 173 Wash. 2d at 421 (quoting State v. Vy Thang, 145 Wash. 2d 630, 642, 41 P.3d 1159
(2002)).
K.H. testified about the incident one week before the charged offense where Nebreja
inappropriately touched her. She testified that she was in the closet picking out shoes, and as she
walked out, Nebreja touched her buttocks with his fingers over her clothes. At the time, K.H. did
not tell anyone because she thought it was an accident. The charged offense involved a similar
incident that occurred one week later when Nebreja and K.H. were sitting on the couch at her
family’s house with no other adults present, and Nebreja touched K.H. on her vagina over her
clothes.
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No. 52861-4-II
Given the timing of the two incidents and that the two incidents were similar, the evidence
of the prior incident was highly probative to show a lack of mistake and a lustful disposition by
Nebreja towards K.H. And the probative value outweighed any prejudicial effect. Thus, we hold
that the trial court did not abuse its discretion by denying Nebreja’s ER 404(b) motion.2
II. SUFFICIENCY OF THE EVIDENCE
Nebreja argues that the evidence at trial was insufficient to convict him because the State
failed to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that he acted for sexual gratification. We disagree and
hold that there was sufficient evidence for a rational trier of fact to find that Nebreja acted for
sexual gratification.
In a criminal case, due process requires the State to prove each element of a crime beyond
a reasonable doubt. State v. Kalebaugh, 183 Wash. 2d 578, 584, 355 P.3d 253 (2015); In re Winship,
397 U.S. 358, 364, 90 S. Ct. 1068, 25 L. Ed. 2d 368 (1970). The test for determining sufficiency
of the evidence is whether, after viewing the evidence in the light most favorable to the State, any
rational trier of fact could have found guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. State v. Cardenas-Flores,
189 Wash. 2d 243, 265, 401 P.3d 19 (2017). In a sufficiency of the evidence claim, the defendant
admits the truth of the evidence, and we view the evidence and all reasonable inferences drawn
from that evidence in the light most favorable to the State. Cardenas-Flores, 189 Wash. 2d at 265-
66. Credibility determinations are made by the trier of fact and are not subject to review.
Cardenas-Flores, 189 Wash. 2d at 266. Circumstantial and direct evidence are equally reliable.
Cardenas-Flores, 189 Wash. 2d at 266.
2
Nebreja also argues that the two instances are not similar, but that element goes to common
scheme or plan, and that was not the purpose of the ER 404(b) evidence.
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No. 52861-4-II
A person commits second degree child molestation if “the person has . . . sexual contact
with another who is at least twelve years old but less than fourteen years old and not married to
the perpetrator and the perpetrator is at least thirty-six months older than the victim.” RCW
9A.44.086(1). An essential element of the crime of child molestation is “sexual contact.” RCW
9A.44.086(1). “Sexual contact” is a touching of sexual or other intimate parts “for the purpose of
gratifying sexual desire.” RCW 9A.44.010(2). Thus, the State must prove the defendant acted
with the purpose of sexual gratification. In re the Pers. Restraint of Heidari, 174 Wash. 2d 288, 294,
274 P.3d 366 (2012).
Intimate parts are those that a person of common intelligence would know are improper to
touch. State v. Harstad, 153 Wash. App. 10, 21, 218 P.3d 624 (2009). Proof that an unrelated,
noncaretaking adult touched a child’s intimate part supports an inference of touching for sexual
gratification. Harstad, 153 Wash. App. at 21. Additional evidence of sexual gratification is required
when the touching is through clothing or is not of a primary erogenous area. State v. Powell, 62
Wash. App. 914, 917, 816 P.2d 86 (1991). But even if a touching of intimate parts is over clothing,
a sexual contact has occurred when the touching is not susceptible of innocent explanation. See
Harstad, 153 Wash. App. at 22.
Nebreja argues that this case is analogous to Powell. In Powell, a young girl testified that
a man touched her through her clothing, including hugging her chest and touching her underwear
and thighs. 62 Wash. App. at 916. These incidents happened once as the defendant was assisting
the victim off his lap and once as the two were sitting in the defendant’s truck. Powell, 62 Wn.
App. at 916. The victim was unable to describe precisely how the man touched her. Powell, 62
Wash. App. at 916. We held that there was insufficient evidence of sexual gratification to convict
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No. 52861-4-II
the defendant because the touches were fleeting, his purpose was equivocal and susceptible of
innocent explanation, and the defendant made no threats or requests for the victim not to tell.
Powell, 62 Wash. App. at 918.
Here, the facts are distinguishable from Powell. One week before the charged offense,
Nebreja touched K.H. inappropriately. Nebreja had no purpose for touching K.H. then or during
the charged offense other than for sexual gratification, unlike the defendant in Powell. Taking all
the facts into consideration, there is no innocent explanation for why Nebreja touched K.H. on her
vagina, especially given the fact that he had inappropriately touched her one week before the
charged offense.
Because there is no innocent explanation for why Nebreja touched K.H. on the vagina and
it was the second time in one week that he touched K.H. inappropriately, we hold that the State
presented sufficient evidence for a rational trier of fact to find that Nebreja acted for sexual
gratification. Thus, we hold that sufficient evidence supports Nebreja’s conviction.
III. PROSECUTORIAL MISCONDUCT
Nebreja argues that the prosecutor committed misconduct by misstating the law when he
argued that “[s]ometimes an act simply speaks for itself” and improperly shifting the burden of
proof regarding sexual gratification. Br. of Appellant at 18 (quoting VRP at 199). We hold that
there was no prosecutorial misconduct.
Arguments by the prosecution that shift or misstate the State’s burden to prove the
defendant’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt constitute misconduct. State v. Lindsay, 180 Wash. 2d
423, 434, 326 P.3d 125 (2014). “The propriety of a prosecutor’s conduct is ‘reviewed in the
context of the total argument, the issues in the case, the evidence addressed in the argument, and
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No. 52861-4-II
the instructions given.’” State v. Reed, 168 Wash. App. 553, 577, 278 P.3d 203 (2012) (quoting
State v. Russell, 125 Wash. 2d 24, 85-86, 882 P.2d 747 (1994)). “In closing argument, a prosecutor
is afforded wide latitude to draw and express reasonable inferences from the evidence.” Reed, 168
Wash. App. at 577.
We must ascertain whether the prosecutor’s misconduct was “so flagrant and ill
intentioned” that an instruction would not have cured the prejudice. State v. Scherf, 192 Wash. 2d
350, 394, 429 P.3d 776 (2018).
Under this heightened standard of review, Nebreja must show that “(1) ‘no curative
instruction would have obviated any prejudicial effect on the jury’ and (2) the resulting prejudice
‘had a substantial likelihood of affecting the jury verdict.’” Scherf, 192 Wash. 2d at 394 (internal
quotation marks omitted) (quoting State v. Emery, 174 Wash. 2d 741, 761, 278 P.3d 653 (2012)).
“‘The criterion always is, has such a feeling of prejudice been engendered or located in the minds
of the jury as to prevent a [defendant] from having a fair trial?’” State v. Pinson, 183 Wash. App.
411, 419, 333 P.3d 528 (2014) (alternation in original) (internal quotation marks omitted) (quoting
Emery, 174 Wash. 2d at 762).
During closing argument, the prosecutor stated that “[s]ometimes an act simply speaks for
itself,” referring to Nebreja’s acts for sexual gratification. VRP at 199, 215. He also stated that “I
represent the State today, and that means I have the burden of proving all the elements of the
charge beyond a reasonable doubt. So, you should absolutely hold me to that burden.” VRP at
196.
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No. 52861-4-II
Here, the touching of a twelve-year-old’s vagina, which is not susceptible of innocent
explanation, does speak for itself. Powell, 62 Wash. App. at 918; Harstad, 153 Wash. App. at 22. It
is clear that the prosecutor did not commit misconduct by stating that “[s]ometimes an act . . .
speaks for itself.” VRP at 199, 215. Moreover, the prosecutor made it clear to the jury that the
State had the burden of proving all the elements beyond a reasonable doubt. Thus, we hold that
the prosecutor did not misstate the law or improperly shift the burden of proof and Nebreja’s claim
of prosecutor misconduct fails.
VI. CUMULATIVE ERROR
Nebreja argues that even if we find that the above errors alone are not sufficient for
reversal, cumulative error denied Nebreja a fair trial. Because we find no error, the cumulative
error doctrine does not apply.
We review cumulative error claims de novo. State v. Clark, 187 Wash. 2d 641, 649, 389 P.3d
462 (2017). Nebreja must show that “while multiple trial errors, ‘standing alone, might not be of
sufficient gravity to constitute grounds for a new trial, the combined effect of the accumulation of
errors most certainly requires a new trial.’” Clark, 187 Wash. 2d at 649 (quoting State v. Coe, 101
Wash. 2d 772, 789, 684 P.2d 668 (1984)).
Nebreja has failed to establish any trial error. Therefore, because there is no error, we hold
that the cumulative error doctrine does not apply.
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No. 52861-4-II
CONCLUSION
We affirm Nebreja’s conviction.
A majority of the panel having determined that this opinion will not be printed in the
Washington Appellate Reports, but will be filed for public record in accordance with RCW 2.06.040,
it is so ordered.
SUTTON, J.
We concur:
LEE, C.J.
WORSWICK, J.
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